Sorry if I was confusing. I did indeed mean the rest of the truck, not the 7.3 engine itself. I work on a farm during the time off from landscaping season and every single pickup is diesel. Oldest is a 96, newest a 2010 duramax. The 96 and 02 and 03 are starting to get those stupid problems. One week its a pitman/idler arm. Next week its brake lines. Next week its steering box. Then ball joints. Yes, its cheaper to maintain an older truck than to hoof $5-600 payments. But if you are in the situation where you don't have another truck to fall back on, a simple breakdown like a rotted brake line can cost you a good portion of a days work. Each has its ups and downs I suppose.